Otena
Lodge

Four Winds
Ceremony

The Four Winds Ceremony
has been a ceremony used by the Otena Lodge to open their campfire since
it became a lodge in 1945. This ceremony was first used at Camp Ellis
in 1922 and has changed very little since that time. We reprint it
here for all to read:

The Sacred Ceremony Of The Four Winds

Welcome,
unto the ways of council. Tonight, will be of the old ways. As in
the dim ages, as in the ancient days, when brave bands of warriors swooped
into battle to count coup and to see glory, when the buffalo swarmed the
plains as far as the eyes could see, when the waters were as pure as the
tears of the Great Spirit.

As the sun transverses its
fiery arc across the sky, the shadows of the trees move clockwise.
so shall you move when you are in the council ring.

If you are pleased with a
warriors dance, you will not clap for clapping is the way of the white
man. Instead, you will respond with the word "HOW."

Silence must be maintained
at all times except when having answer to the phrase "HIYEENKAOONEEASNAY"
you will reply "NOONWAY."

Remember, the council ring
is as sacred to the Indian as the church is to the white man. Respect
it as such.

MY friends, lend ear, take
heed, for the ways of council have descended upon us. And as our
forefathers have done many moons before us we shall open council by asking
for the blessings of the sky, the earth, and the four winds.

OKANDA, the Great Spirit,
maker of all things. Bring your wisdom and strength upon us
tonight, thus that we may hold this council in peace. HIYEENKAOONEEASNAY

MOKIANNA, Mother Earth, the
place where we put our homes and plant our crops. Be with us tonight
O Gentle One thus that we may hold this council in peace. HIYEENKAOONEEASNAY

WEEYAHEENYAPAPYTA, Spirit
of the sun come up, the great forests and the waters without end.
You from beyond the first light of day, be with us tonight thus that we
may hold this council in peace. HIYEENKAOONEEASNAY

WUSIOTA, Spirit of the White
Death, the snowshoe rabbit, and the great white bear. Be with us
tonight Wusiota, But come thou not with your chilling winds upon us, Thus
that we may hold this council in peace. HIYEENKAOONEEASNAY

WEEYAPAYTA, Sprit of the
sun go down, the fiery skies, and the great rains. You from beyond
the last light of day, be with us tonight thus that we may hold this council
in peace. HIYEENKAOONEEASNAY

OKAGA, Spirit of the burning
sands, the giant cactus, and the spiked fangs of the snake. Be with
us tonight Okaga but come though not with your withering winds upon us,
Thus that we may hold this council in peace. HIYEENKAOONEEASNAY

The fire of cheerfulness
shall now burn brightly upon the sacred alter of Brotherhood for the circle
of the Four Winds in now complete. It has no beginning and it has
no end. We are now at the center of the universe joined by the flow
of life. Therefore let us begin the ways of the Wimachtendienk, Wingolauchsik,
Witahumui. HIYEENKAOONEEASNAY